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Area teams get ready for state tournament

File photo by Steve Muscatello New Ulm pitcher Wade French delivers a pitch during a recent game at Mueller Park. French and the New Ulm Brewers open Class C state tournament play at 5 p.m. on Sunday at Springfield when they play Prior Lake.

NEW ULM — The Hanska Lakers and the New Ulm Brewers open play this weekend in the 2020 Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournaments with games in Springfield.

Hanska meets Foley, the runner-up from Region 11B, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday in Springfield.

On Sunday, the New Ulm Brewers, runners-up from Region 2C, tangle with the Prior Lake Mudcats at 5 p.m.

Lamberton, the champion from Region 2C, gets the first round bye and awaits the winner of the Avon (8B team from Region 8) and Union Hill, the third place team from Region 3. Lamberton plays that game at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 28 in Springfield.

The Brewers enter their contest against Prior Lake with a 17-8 season record.

“I do not know a lot about them,” Brewers manager Al Flor said. “I have called a few people I know who are friends of mine who are in the DRS (Dakota-Rice-Scott) League and they gave me a little information on them. I think that this is a good match-up for us.”

Offensively the Brewers enter this game with a team batting average of .277 and are led by Judd Davis, who is hitting .373 and has also blasted a team-high four home runs. Hunter Ranweiler, who is back after a stint with the Willmar Stingers, is batting .329 and leads New Ulm with 34 RBIs.

Justin Hoffmann patrols center field and carries a .326 batting average. Shortstop Andrew Peters, also at .326 and Wade French (.310) also lead the squad. Close behind are two young players in Jaden Domeier with a .295 batting average and Braden Zimmerman at .284. Domeier, who roams right field, is questionable for the first game because of a hamstring injury sustained in the regional playoffs. If Domeier is unable to play, Brody Peterson will start.

On the mound, right-handers Mitch Bockenstedt and French are the top two pitchers. Add in a drafted Jordan Milbrath from Springfield and the staff is solid. Lost for this season because of a shoulder injury is right-hander Mitch Kelly.

Flor said Bockenstedt is 6-0 with one save.

“Our pitching staff is deep enough for us to make a deep run (in the tournament,” Flor said. “But we always have tough first games in the tournament even when we are favored to win. We need to jump out to a lead right away Saturday to get our pitcher (Bockenstedt) confidence.”

Hanska Lakers

At 14-2, Hanska manager Chris Koob thinks that this Lakers’ team “is one of the best teams we have had in a few years.”

The Lakers enter their contest with an impressive .311 team batting average and have three hitters cruising over or just on the .400 batting average mark.

Gabe Knowles leads with a robust .435 average and a team-leading three home runs. Kevin Larson is second with a .414 average followed by Derek Wilfahrt at .400. Chris Knowles carries a .379 average followed by Eric Portner with a .362 average. Portner leads the Lakers in RBIs with 22.

“Our batting line-up is our strength,” Koob said. “We are deep there and we have guys one through nine who can deliver the big hit.”

Pitching-wise, Hanska is solid with a pair of righthanders in Brady Mosenden and Cole Wellmann.

“Our pitching is stronger compared to last year,” Koob said.

The Lakers open tournament play against Foley.

“Don’t know a ton about them,” Koob said. “Each team in the state has their own style and personality. There is probably more small ball played down here than you do other places.

“We want to get a fast start in this game — we are the visitors in this game so it would be nice to get a lead right away.”

Koob said that Mosenden will start against Foley.

“He gave up his first earned runs of the season in the regionals. He has been our ace all year.”

Lamberton Long Sox

Lamberton, who has a bye in the first round, comes in at 16-5 and are led at the plate by Neil Eichten, who is hitting .381 and as a team the Long Sox are hitting .296.

On the mound, righthanded veteran Johnny Pistulka is 6-0 and has an ERA of a microscopic 0.27. He also leads the pitching staff with 48 strikeouts.

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